Scouting Naperville North @ Fremd

CLASS 8A

No. 16 Naperville North (5-4) at No. 1 Fremd (9-0)

When: 7 p.m. today at Hale Hildebrandt Field

Last week: Naperville North d. West Chicago 41-0; Fremd d. Palatine 31-13

Playoff history: Naperville North is 41-20 and is making its 13th straight trip and 23rd overall under retiring head coach Larry McKeon, who has won two state titles. Fremd is 11-19 and is making its 15th straight trip under Mike Donatucci and 20th overall.

Outlook: Fremd's reward for its third undefeated season in five years is a Naperville North team coming out of the rugged DuPage Valley Conference looking to extend McKeon's career. "They could be the best team we've played all year," Donatucci said. The Vikings will do what they've done all year - run Evan Wright (1,812 yards, 25 TDs) behind their line anchored by Notre Dame-bound Christian Lombard against a tough trio of linebackers in seniors Jack Krejci and Arnas Gintautas and junior Nick Lifka. "They're active, big and physical," Donatucci said. "They're the best corps of linebackers we've gone against." Injuries have hampered the Huskies' offense, which will run shotgun spread and a double-slot to spring 5-7 RB Idris Hanidu (1,055 yards, 12 TDs), who Donatucci said reminds him of former Fremd star Cleo Walker. But the Vikings' defense of Jayme Szafranski, John Josif, Drew Mertes and Co., got a boost last week with the return from injury of DB Eric Shew and has a plus-21 turnover ratio. "Our kids are confident and we didn't bring anything new to the week," Donatucci said. This is a new situation for Naperville North since it's never been a 16th seed before. "That doesn't matter to us," McKeon said. "All we can do is just go out and play our best."

Advancement: The winner would host No. 8 Belleville East (7-2) or travel to No. 9 Lake Park (7-2) for the second round.